As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Donald Bausano (Buzzy) of Laurium, passed away on December 10 th , 2025 at the age of 79. Don was born on March 28 th , 1946 to Peter and Maude (Quello) Bausano.
He attended Calumet High School and graduated with the class of 1964. On July 6 th , 1974, Don and Barbara (Orr) were married. Together they raised three sons. Following graduation, Don enlisted in the Air Force for four years. Continuing his work for the federal government as a civilian employee, he worked as a supply technician at Michigan Tech University with the ROTC department. He retired in 2008 after 35 years.
He was an avid hockey fan, coaching junior hockey teams for 30 years. He was proud of his Italian heritage and was a member of the Italian Lodge (“Skinny Club”) where he eventually became their cook.
Don spent many hours in service to his community. He was a member of the Michigan National Guard for 20 years before retiring. He volunteered as a firefighter for the Calumet Township Fire and Rescue and became chief before he retired after 37 years. Don served the Village of Laurium for many years – first as a councilman and later as President.
As the chairman of the committee, he spearheaded hosting the Vietnam Moving Wall in Calumet in 2014. Don was a founder of the Upper Peninsula Firefighters Museum in Calumet and a past president of the Upper Peninsula Firefighters Association. He also volunteered his time to the Calumet High School Athletics Booster Club and Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly.
Don leaves behind his wife, Barbara, three children, Michael (Lauren), Eric (Theresa), and Darren (Danielle); seven grandchildren, Alli, Brett, Booker, Emeryn, Bodie, Louise, and Owen; siblings, Thomas, William (Mary), and Jean (David), as well as several nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Don will be on Wednesday, December 17 th , 2025 from 4pm to 7pm followed by a prayer service at Erickson Crowley Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the organizations he was involved with.
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
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